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Vices & Veritas
At Virelune Collegium, power decides who survives.
Lyra was never meant to belong.
Marked as something the Collegium cannot control, she is pulled into a world of secrets, rituals, and dangerous truths—where every move is watched, and every weakness is exploited.
And then there’s Caelum.
Cold. Calculating. Untouchable.
The most powerful student in the Collegium… and the one who chooses her.
What begins as protection quickly becomes something far more dangerous.
Because the closer Lyra gets to him, the harder it becomes to tell what’s real—and what he’s made her believe.
And in a place built on control,
falling for him might be the one mistake she doesn’t survive.
Lyra was never meant to belong.
Marked as something the Collegium cannot control, she is pulled into a world of secrets, rituals, and dangerous truths—where every move is watched, and every weakness is exploited.
And then there’s Caelum.
Cold. Calculating. Untouchable.
The most powerful student in the Collegium… and the one who chooses her.
What begins as protection quickly becomes something far more dangerous.
Because the closer Lyra gets to him, the harder it becomes to tell what’s real—and what he’s made her believe.
And in a place built on control,
falling for him might be the one mistake she doesn’t survive.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2026
About the author
Alina Haris
1 book8 followersQuit writing professionally. Back on ao3 as a free author that writes only for passion due to the stress and burn out associated to self-publishing. Still a reader so now I will leave honest reviews as I am finally free from the pressure. No more social media, contact me by email for inquiries: author.alinaharis@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 28, 2026
I had some misgivings about the writing style in the beginning; it was a little too stylized in a way I don’t like (closest example I can find is from my review on Julie Anne Long’s Like No Other Lover). Also had some misgivings on whether Caelum would actually be a dubcon hero or if I would feel slightly cringe. I still think the beginning chapters aren’t the smoothest or land fully, but it wasn’t enough to dampen my intrigue, and I was rewarded with an EXCELLENT story and plot.
This was likely some Harry Potter fanfic but I’m glad it doesn’t really have much bearing beyond that the heroine was most likely a Weasley (red hair was its own character: too many times red hair is mentioned as spilled ink) but not sure who the hero would have been (dark hair, grey eyes). I’m glad I couldn’t tell because to be honest, I tried to get into HP fanfics but I can’t separate the characters from fanfics (I can’t ever see Hermione and Draco together lol).
The HP influence is most obvious in the school that acts like a living organism, the student sorting into their magical classifications (Veilcraft, Grave Arts, Chronic Arts, Dominion), the classes, the potions. So it might help if you did know HP to have some more familiarity but all the names are different.
The way this system works is that Lyra is an anomaly to the magic system. She is not able to be classified at the sorting, but is deferred. While she attends classes, she ends up disrupting a lot of the other magical classifications as they practice so she is assigned to Caelum until they figure out her assignation.
The overall mystery is what is her magical power etc. but it quickly devolves into a deliciously twisted and dreamy codependent relationship. Through the whisperdraught, she becomes a complacent doll. They do fall in love. Too many descriptions of food and how he feeds her. When she gets off the whisperdraught, that whole section in the book is my favourite part - oh that cliffhanger!!!
Ao3 writers really know how to write evil heroes who put their heroines on addictive substances and then figure out how to wean them off it 😭 and I eat that shit up 👏🏽 every 👏🏽time 👏🏽
Let me see that the first moment Lyra drinks Whisperdraught it was a great story I could not stop reading. He was so manipulative, especially the gaslighting of how everyone was trying to tear them apart.
I loved every choice the author made, it made the story that much better. The smut also got better, but I didn’t like the use of hickeys or when she uses the word “blowjob.” It wasn’t vulgar or crass but just felt too young (yes they are young but they don’t talk with a more casual tone, so it just feels a little out-of-place).
The ending is SO GOOD. THAT BONUS CHAPTER of Carlin’s dirty thoughts 🥵🥵🥵 MORE OF THAT CAELUM 😫🙏🏽 I want to read book 2 now 😭😭😭
This was likely some Harry Potter fanfic but I’m glad it doesn’t really have much bearing beyond that the heroine was most likely a Weasley (red hair was its own character: too many times red hair is mentioned as spilled ink) but not sure who the hero would have been (dark hair, grey eyes). I’m glad I couldn’t tell because to be honest, I tried to get into HP fanfics but I can’t separate the characters from fanfics (I can’t ever see Hermione and Draco together lol).
The HP influence is most obvious in the school that acts like a living organism, the student sorting into their magical classifications (Veilcraft, Grave Arts, Chronic Arts, Dominion), the classes, the potions. So it might help if you did know HP to have some more familiarity but all the names are different.
The way this system works is that Lyra is an anomaly to the magic system. She is not able to be classified at the sorting, but is deferred. While she attends classes, she ends up disrupting a lot of the other magical classifications as they practice so she is assigned to Caelum until they figure out her assignation.
The overall mystery is what is her magical power etc. but it quickly devolves into a deliciously twisted and dreamy codependent relationship. Through the whisperdraught, she becomes a complacent doll. They do fall in love. Too many descriptions of food and how he feeds her. When she gets off the whisperdraught, that whole section in the book is my favourite part - oh that cliffhanger!!!
Ao3 writers really know how to write evil heroes who put their heroines on addictive substances and then figure out how to wean them off it 😭 and I eat that shit up 👏🏽 every 👏🏽time 👏🏽
Let me see that the first moment Lyra drinks Whisperdraught it was a great story I could not stop reading. He was so manipulative, especially the gaslighting of how everyone was trying to tear them apart.
I loved every choice the author made, it made the story that much better. The smut also got better, but I didn’t like the use of hickeys or when she uses the word “blowjob.” It wasn’t vulgar or crass but just felt too young (yes they are young but they don’t talk with a more casual tone, so it just feels a little out-of-place).
The ending is SO GOOD. THAT BONUS CHAPTER of Carlin’s dirty thoughts 🥵🥵🥵 MORE OF THAT CAELUM 😫🙏🏽 I want to read book 2 now 😭😭😭
April 26, 2026
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
I enjoyed this, it was a good, mysterious dive into a world of Dark Academia and magic with a romance at the center. You will definitely be engrossed in the mystery and wonder what’s really going on more than once, and this is where the book shines.
It delivers an alluring push/pull story of control and obsession between the MMC and FMC and the gothic setting matches it perfectly. The dynamic has a dark undertone to the chemistry and it fits perfectly within the world.
For some small notes, it did take me a bit to settle into the writing style and also the world itself as there’s not much background explanation, it just jumps right in and you kind of have to figure out the parameters on your own. Even in the end it’s not 100% clear what’s going on or what the world rules are. It reminded me of Gothikana in that sense.
I also personally prefer a bit more from the spice; the spice is frequent, but the scenes are short, I’m a full chapter spice girl. I also prefer more build up and while this does have good tension, it gets into the dynamic pretty quickly.
I really loved the ending of this book, the last 50 or so pages had me hooked and the pace was upped a lot, this is where I couldn’t put it down! The cliffhanger ending as well totally changes the tone of the story and has me dying to know what happens in Book 2/ what’s really going on!
Overall this was a very enjoyable read!
I enjoyed this, it was a good, mysterious dive into a world of Dark Academia and magic with a romance at the center. You will definitely be engrossed in the mystery and wonder what’s really going on more than once, and this is where the book shines.
It delivers an alluring push/pull story of control and obsession between the MMC and FMC and the gothic setting matches it perfectly. The dynamic has a dark undertone to the chemistry and it fits perfectly within the world.
For some small notes, it did take me a bit to settle into the writing style and also the world itself as there’s not much background explanation, it just jumps right in and you kind of have to figure out the parameters on your own. Even in the end it’s not 100% clear what’s going on or what the world rules are. It reminded me of Gothikana in that sense.
I also personally prefer a bit more from the spice; the spice is frequent, but the scenes are short, I’m a full chapter spice girl. I also prefer more build up and while this does have good tension, it gets into the dynamic pretty quickly.
I really loved the ending of this book, the last 50 or so pages had me hooked and the pace was upped a lot, this is where I couldn’t put it down! The cliffhanger ending as well totally changes the tone of the story and has me dying to know what happens in Book 2/ what’s really going on!
Overall this was a very enjoyable read!
May 9, 2026
What a read🖤
A touch that lingers after leaving, yearning when in distance.
Power play, manipulation and obsession comes to play when you play with fire. This truly was a fantastic book based on how well it was written, the depth of the story and attention to details regarding environment.
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️,5
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
A touch that lingers after leaving, yearning when in distance.
Power play, manipulation and obsession comes to play when you play with fire. This truly was a fantastic book based on how well it was written, the depth of the story and attention to details regarding environment.
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️,5
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
May 31, 2026
Great idea but somewhat weird execution. Maybe it's just me, but the writing style was just off and kept taking me out of the story. Having said that, the premise is quite interesting and I enjoyed the magical world and the mystery, not to mention the toxic romance. This ends on a whopper of a cliffy and I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I genuinely have no idea where to begin with this review because this book completely blew my mind. The moment I saw the tropes, I was instantly intrigued, but I was still a little unsure whether they would actually deliver the way I wanted them to. So many times I have picked up a book because the tropes sounded perfect, only to end up disappointed once I started reading. Some authors have amazing ideas, but not all of them know how to bring them to life in a way that truly hits. That is exactly why I was so shocked when I found out this is a debut novel, because this book did not just deliver, it went beyond every expectation I had.
This is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, and I truly believe it is one of those books that is best enjoyed going in blind. I do highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before starting, though, because this is a genuinely dark read that only gets darker as the story goes on, and some themes could definitely be triggering. So if dark romance is not your thing, this probably will not be for you. But for me? This was exactly the kind of darkness I love.
This is not your typical romance at all. The relationship is built on control, manipulation, and power imbalance, and somehow that makes this pairing even more addictive. There is something so consuming about the dynamic between them, especially because the story still gives you those softer, more tender moments that make you crave even more. That contrast was everything.
One thing I absolutely loved was the way the book is divided into three acts, the tria veritas. Each little title ends up making perfect sense by the end of each section, and even though it might seem like a small detail, it made me read even more carefully because I wanted to catch every possible meaning and reference. I loved that so much.
What I truly appreciated is how strongly this book focuses on the relationship and the character dynamics without losing itself in overly heavy lore or external plot. The worldbuilding is there, and it is interesting, but it is done in such a light and smooth way that you immediately get pulled in without feeling overwhelmed or confused. At the same time, there are still details that feel intentionally left unexplained, and that only made me more curious. I am already hoping those parts will be explored more in the next book.
The world itself is fascinating, and the secondary characters feel unique and memorable in a way that actually adds to the story. They do not just exist in the background; they feel essential to the atmosphere and to the plot.
What truly amazed me is how every single detail, even the ones that seem insignificant at first, comes back later and suddenly matters. Everything connects. Everything has a purpose. And that honestly made the reading experience even more satisfying because there were so many moments where I realized that something I thought was random or unimportant actually meant so much more.
And Lyra and Caelum? They were something else entirely. Their chemistry was absolutely insane, electrifying, addictive, and unique. Their dynamic was so compelling, especially with the constant undercurrent of control, mind games, manipulation, and possession. also, the spice was completely over the top in the best possible way. Their intimate moments were ridiculously hot. I loved every second of it: his dirty talk, manipulation, possessiveness and the way he constantly tries to get inside her head were unbelievably sexy, and now I desperately need more from his point of view.
I finished this arc book in three days because I simply could not put it down.
This really feels like the beginning of a great story, and I already know I am going to be thinking about this book for a long time.
This is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, and I truly believe it is one of those books that is best enjoyed going in blind. I do highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before starting, though, because this is a genuinely dark read that only gets darker as the story goes on, and some themes could definitely be triggering. So if dark romance is not your thing, this probably will not be for you. But for me? This was exactly the kind of darkness I love.
This is not your typical romance at all. The relationship is built on control, manipulation, and power imbalance, and somehow that makes this pairing even more addictive. There is something so consuming about the dynamic between them, especially because the story still gives you those softer, more tender moments that make you crave even more. That contrast was everything.
One thing I absolutely loved was the way the book is divided into three acts, the tria veritas. Each little title ends up making perfect sense by the end of each section, and even though it might seem like a small detail, it made me read even more carefully because I wanted to catch every possible meaning and reference. I loved that so much.
What I truly appreciated is how strongly this book focuses on the relationship and the character dynamics without losing itself in overly heavy lore or external plot. The worldbuilding is there, and it is interesting, but it is done in such a light and smooth way that you immediately get pulled in without feeling overwhelmed or confused. At the same time, there are still details that feel intentionally left unexplained, and that only made me more curious. I am already hoping those parts will be explored more in the next book.
The world itself is fascinating, and the secondary characters feel unique and memorable in a way that actually adds to the story. They do not just exist in the background; they feel essential to the atmosphere and to the plot.
What truly amazed me is how every single detail, even the ones that seem insignificant at first, comes back later and suddenly matters. Everything connects. Everything has a purpose. And that honestly made the reading experience even more satisfying because there were so many moments where I realized that something I thought was random or unimportant actually meant so much more.
And Lyra and Caelum? They were something else entirely. Their chemistry was absolutely insane, electrifying, addictive, and unique. Their dynamic was so compelling, especially with the constant undercurrent of control, mind games, manipulation, and possession. also, the spice was completely over the top in the best possible way. Their intimate moments were ridiculously hot. I loved every second of it: his dirty talk, manipulation, possessiveness and the way he constantly tries to get inside her head were unbelievably sexy, and now I desperately need more from his point of view.
I finished this arc book in three days because I simply could not put it down.
This really feels like the beginning of a great story, and I already know I am going to be thinking about this book for a long time.
August 25, 2026
This book was interesting, but the writing style was so distracting that I could never fully immerse myself in it. I can’t even put my finger on exactly what was so weird about it. Nearly every conversation followed some variation of this:
“You found it,” he said. “The directions were pretty clear.” “They usually are, when I want someone to arrive.” Lyra glanced at the room. “And when you don’t?” “Then they learn the tower has a poor sense of hospitality.”
No one just said, “Yes” to a question. One character would say something, and then another would reflect it back in slightly different language. It was as though every reply had to be clever—but not actually funny—and every observation had to sound like an old proverb. Every sentence was trying to be profound. It was frankly exhausting.
Here are a couple of examples:
“Patience was harder. Patience did not rush into mistakes.”
“She heard everything, but she decided to answer only when it suited her.”
This kind of lyrical, aphoristic writing sounds good in theory, but when it appears on every page, it starts to feel pretentious and unnecessarily wordy. It actually infuriated me, lol.
The fact that THIS is what I’m spending my review talking about tells you everything. The FMC was fine, but pretentious. The MMC was unhinged—and pretentious. The plot was actually quite good overall but a bunch of things didn’t make sense or weren’t explained. I have no idea why Lucian and Gideon even got involved in her quest for information. It was like they just popped up and decided to be interested too. I also didn’t know any of the rules of the place or the world. Lyra is sexually assaulted pretty badly, and there was no even conversation in her head about if she should report it. So I’m assuming terrible sexual assault is the norm? Also, who was the MMC. He was a student, but also kind of a professor? What the hell was even going on?
This was a pretty baffling book and I wanted it to be a lot better than it was. It had promise.
“You found it,” he said. “The directions were pretty clear.” “They usually are, when I want someone to arrive.” Lyra glanced at the room. “And when you don’t?” “Then they learn the tower has a poor sense of hospitality.”
No one just said, “Yes” to a question. One character would say something, and then another would reflect it back in slightly different language. It was as though every reply had to be clever—but not actually funny—and every observation had to sound like an old proverb. Every sentence was trying to be profound. It was frankly exhausting.
Here are a couple of examples:
“Patience was harder. Patience did not rush into mistakes.”
“She heard everything, but she decided to answer only when it suited her.”
This kind of lyrical, aphoristic writing sounds good in theory, but when it appears on every page, it starts to feel pretentious and unnecessarily wordy. It actually infuriated me, lol.
The fact that THIS is what I’m spending my review talking about tells you everything. The FMC was fine, but pretentious. The MMC was unhinged—and pretentious. The plot was actually quite good overall but a bunch of things didn’t make sense or weren’t explained. I have no idea why Lucian and Gideon even got involved in her quest for information. It was like they just popped up and decided to be interested too. I also didn’t know any of the rules of the place or the world. Lyra is sexually assaulted pretty badly, and there was no even conversation in her head about if she should report it. So I’m assuming terrible sexual assault is the norm? Also, who was the MMC. He was a student, but also kind of a professor? What the hell was even going on?
This was a pretty baffling book and I wanted it to be a lot better than it was. It had promise.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of Vices & Veritas by Alina Haris and I think this is one of those books where the pacing and dynamic are very intentional—and either click for you or don’t.
For me, it absolutely worked.
This isn’t a traditional slow burn where you get clear, step-by-step emotional development. The shift between Lyra and Caelum is meant to feel abrupt and a little disorienting, because the entire environment they’re in is built on control and imbalance. It’s less about watching feelings develop normally, and more about being pulled into something that’s already in motion.
I actually liked that their dynamic doesn’t follow a predictable progression. Caelum isn’t written as someone who gradually “falls”—he notices, decides, and acts accordingly. The tension comes from Lyra resisting that, rather than from mutual, evenly paced development.
The atmosphere also plays a huge role in how everything unfolds. The Collegium itself feels like it’s influencing events, so the relationship never feels isolated from the world around it. It made the lack of traditional buildup feel intentional rather than rushed.
Lyra’s characterization worked for me as well. She’s not overly reactive, which fits the tone, and when she does push back, it feels subtle but meaningful.
Spice: 5/5 — builds into it, but once it hits, it’s consistent and fits the dynamic.
Overall, I think this book leans more into psychological tension and control dynamics than conventional romance structure. If you go in expecting a clean, gradual buildup, it might feel different—but if you’re open to something more deliberate and slightly unsettling, it really delivers.
Definitely excited to see how everything develops in book 2.
For me, it absolutely worked.
This isn’t a traditional slow burn where you get clear, step-by-step emotional development. The shift between Lyra and Caelum is meant to feel abrupt and a little disorienting, because the entire environment they’re in is built on control and imbalance. It’s less about watching feelings develop normally, and more about being pulled into something that’s already in motion.
I actually liked that their dynamic doesn’t follow a predictable progression. Caelum isn’t written as someone who gradually “falls”—he notices, decides, and acts accordingly. The tension comes from Lyra resisting that, rather than from mutual, evenly paced development.
The atmosphere also plays a huge role in how everything unfolds. The Collegium itself feels like it’s influencing events, so the relationship never feels isolated from the world around it. It made the lack of traditional buildup feel intentional rather than rushed.
Lyra’s characterization worked for me as well. She’s not overly reactive, which fits the tone, and when she does push back, it feels subtle but meaningful.
Spice: 5/5 — builds into it, but once it hits, it’s consistent and fits the dynamic.
Overall, I think this book leans more into psychological tension and control dynamics than conventional romance structure. If you go in expecting a clean, gradual buildup, it might feel different—but if you’re open to something more deliberate and slightly unsettling, it really delivers.
Definitely excited to see how everything develops in book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My name is Anthony, I am a man from Germany, and I read this as ARC from instagram, thanks for opportunity even though I do not have experience. I don’t usually write long review but this one I want to say something.
For me the biggest thing is the writing. It is very strong, maybe not easy all the time but it feels like author knows exactly what she is doing. The atmosphere is very heavy but in good way, like you are inside this strange academy and cannot leave easy.
The relationship… this is what made me continue reading without stop. Lyra and Caelum are not simple. It is not sweet romance, it is more like tension and control and something you don’t fully understand but you want to see more. I found it very addictive.
Caelum is very interesting character. He is calm but also very intense, and he doesn’t need to say much. Sometimes I was frustrated because I want to know what he is thinking, but also this is why I keep reading.
Also I want to say I liked a lot the parts where they mark each other’s body. It sounds maybe small detail but for me it showed very clearly the possession and connection between them. These scenes stayed in my head after.
Story is not giving all answers. There are many things still not clear, especially about Caelum and the system of the Collegium and past of Lyra. But I think this is for next book.
I am already waiting for book 2 because I want to understand everything better and see where this relationship is going.
For me, very strong read and different from many dark romance I tried.
For me the biggest thing is the writing. It is very strong, maybe not easy all the time but it feels like author knows exactly what she is doing. The atmosphere is very heavy but in good way, like you are inside this strange academy and cannot leave easy.
The relationship… this is what made me continue reading without stop. Lyra and Caelum are not simple. It is not sweet romance, it is more like tension and control and something you don’t fully understand but you want to see more. I found it very addictive.
Caelum is very interesting character. He is calm but also very intense, and he doesn’t need to say much. Sometimes I was frustrated because I want to know what he is thinking, but also this is why I keep reading.
Also I want to say I liked a lot the parts where they mark each other’s body. It sounds maybe small detail but for me it showed very clearly the possession and connection between them. These scenes stayed in my head after.
Story is not giving all answers. There are many things still not clear, especially about Caelum and the system of the Collegium and past of Lyra. But I think this is for next book.
I am already waiting for book 2 because I want to understand everything better and see where this relationship is going.
For me, very strong read and different from many dark romance I tried.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy.
This one started slow, but when it hit, it HIT…and it was absolutely worth the wait. Dark, summoning, with that creeping sense of foreboding that follows you. You’re watching, waiting, bracing the whole time.
We meet Lyra as she enters Virelune Collegium, hoping she will finally be free from lifetime of control and trauma…only to walk straight into a different kind of cage. This time, it comes in the form of Caelum.
Caelum is a morally black MMC with an agenda rooted in dominance, and Lyra is his target. She starts off fragile and breakable, but that only lasts for so long.
What made this story so fascinating for me is how deeply it leans into psychological control, both emotionally and mentally. The spice won’t be for everyone (check those triggers), with elements of nonconsent and dubious consent that leave both Lyra AND the reader feeling conflicted, frustrated, and strangely intrigued. Caelum weaponizes her past in ways that genuinely made me angry. I found myself wanting to protect her, but watching her push through? So satisfying… until that ending.
The power dynamics here are intense, the tension doesn't let up, and there’s a depth to the story that kept me fully locked in.
If you love dark fantasy romance with heavy psychological themes and a lot of spice, this is definitely one to pick up!✨
Tropes:
🖤 Obsessive MMC
🚫 Noncon/Dubcon
⚔️ Touch her and die
🎭 Psychological control
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This one started slow, but when it hit, it HIT…and it was absolutely worth the wait. Dark, summoning, with that creeping sense of foreboding that follows you. You’re watching, waiting, bracing the whole time.
We meet Lyra as she enters Virelune Collegium, hoping she will finally be free from lifetime of control and trauma…only to walk straight into a different kind of cage. This time, it comes in the form of Caelum.
Caelum is a morally black MMC with an agenda rooted in dominance, and Lyra is his target. She starts off fragile and breakable, but that only lasts for so long.
What made this story so fascinating for me is how deeply it leans into psychological control, both emotionally and mentally. The spice won’t be for everyone (check those triggers), with elements of nonconsent and dubious consent that leave both Lyra AND the reader feeling conflicted, frustrated, and strangely intrigued. Caelum weaponizes her past in ways that genuinely made me angry. I found myself wanting to protect her, but watching her push through? So satisfying… until that ending.
The power dynamics here are intense, the tension doesn't let up, and there’s a depth to the story that kept me fully locked in.
If you love dark fantasy romance with heavy psychological themes and a lot of spice, this is definitely one to pick up!✨
Tropes:
🖤 Obsessive MMC
🚫 Noncon/Dubcon
⚔️ Touch her and die
🎭 Psychological control
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of Vices & Veritas by Alina Haris, and I honestly didn’t expect it to live in my head like this after finishing.
If you’re into dark academia with actual tension and an obsessive, quietly unhinged MMC—this delivers.
The setting (Virelune Collegium) is one of my favorite parts. It feels cold, controlled, and constantly watching, which makes everything that happens inside it even more intense. The writing is very immersive and atmospheric, and you can tell a lot of care went into building that tone.
Lyra is a strong FMC in a subtle way—she’s observant, composed, and doesn’t just fall into things blindly. The dynamic works because she resists.
And Caelum… he’s not your typical dark romance lead. He’s not loud or aggressive for the sake of it. He’s controlled, calculated, and just decides things. The obsession is there early, but it’s expressed in a much quieter, more unsettling way.
Tropes / elements:
- dark academia
- obsessive MMC
- power imbalance
- psychological manipulation
- forced proximity
- slow burn with early tension
- morally grey characters
Spice: 5/5 (builds up but definitely delivers)
This isn’t a light or fast read—it leans more atmospheric and psychological—but if you enjoy tension-heavy romances with strong control dynamics, it’s absolutely worth it.
Really glad I picked this up as an ARC.
If you’re into dark academia with actual tension and an obsessive, quietly unhinged MMC—this delivers.
The setting (Virelune Collegium) is one of my favorite parts. It feels cold, controlled, and constantly watching, which makes everything that happens inside it even more intense. The writing is very immersive and atmospheric, and you can tell a lot of care went into building that tone.
Lyra is a strong FMC in a subtle way—she’s observant, composed, and doesn’t just fall into things blindly. The dynamic works because she resists.
And Caelum… he’s not your typical dark romance lead. He’s not loud or aggressive for the sake of it. He’s controlled, calculated, and just decides things. The obsession is there early, but it’s expressed in a much quieter, more unsettling way.
Tropes / elements:
- dark academia
- obsessive MMC
- power imbalance
- psychological manipulation
- forced proximity
- slow burn with early tension
- morally grey characters
Spice: 5/5 (builds up but definitely delivers)
This isn’t a light or fast read—it leans more atmospheric and psychological—but if you enjoy tension-heavy romances with strong control dynamics, it’s absolutely worth it.
Really glad I picked this up as an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ ARC Review – Vices and Veritas ✨
This isn’t a story about heroes. It’s about control. And it makes sure you feel it.
From the moment Lyra arrives at the eerie, secretive Virelune Collegium, something feels… wrong. Not chaotic — controlled. Watched. Calculated. Every step she takes, every reaction, every breath feels like it’s being measured and quietly rewritten.
The atmosphere? Suffocating in the best way.
Dark academia turned dangerous obsession.
And then there’s Caelum Thorne…
Cold. Precise. The kind of man who doesn’t ask — he decides. Their dynamic isn’t soft romance, it’s power, resistance, and tension so sharp it literally feels like a threat.
What I loved most is how the story slowly tightens around you — just like it does around Lyra. You don’t even realize how deep you’re in until it’s too late. Nothing is simple. No one is safe. And the line between choice and control? Completely blurred.
⚠️ Expect:
– dark academia with a sinister edge
– psychological tension & control dynamics
– morally gray characters you shouldn’t root for (but will 👀)
– a world that watches you back
This isn’t a story about heroes. It’s about control. And it makes sure you feel it.
From the moment Lyra arrives at the eerie, secretive Virelune Collegium, something feels… wrong. Not chaotic — controlled. Watched. Calculated. Every step she takes, every reaction, every breath feels like it’s being measured and quietly rewritten.
The atmosphere? Suffocating in the best way.
Dark academia turned dangerous obsession.
And then there’s Caelum Thorne…
Cold. Precise. The kind of man who doesn’t ask — he decides. Their dynamic isn’t soft romance, it’s power, resistance, and tension so sharp it literally feels like a threat.
What I loved most is how the story slowly tightens around you — just like it does around Lyra. You don’t even realize how deep you’re in until it’s too late. Nothing is simple. No one is safe. And the line between choice and control? Completely blurred.
⚠️ Expect:
– dark academia with a sinister edge
– psychological tension & control dynamics
– morally gray characters you shouldn’t root for (but will 👀)
– a world that watches you back
May 29, 2026
This book completely pulled me in. I wasn’t fully sure what to expect at first, but once the story found its rhythm, I was hooked.
The dark academia setting, the strange magical system, and the eerie atmosphere all worked so well together, but what really made this unforgettable was Lyra and Caelum’s dynamic. Their relationship is intense, unhealthy, manipulative, obsessive, and completely addictive to read. Caelum is the kind of morally dark hero who gets under your skin, and Lyra’s journey made the story feel even more consuming.
I loved how the mystery unfolded slowly, with littlle details that started to matter more as the book went on. The Whisperdraught element was especially gripping, and the tension around control, dependence, and choice made the whole story feel darker and more emotional.
This definitely won’t be for everyone, so check the trigger warnings, but if you enjoy dark fantasy romance, morally grey characters, obsession, manipulation, and a relationship that feels dangerously consuming, this is absolutely worth reading.
The ending was brilliant, I needed a cold shower after, and now I need the next book immediately.
The dark academia setting, the strange magical system, and the eerie atmosphere all worked so well together, but what really made this unforgettable was Lyra and Caelum’s dynamic. Their relationship is intense, unhealthy, manipulative, obsessive, and completely addictive to read. Caelum is the kind of morally dark hero who gets under your skin, and Lyra’s journey made the story feel even more consuming.
I loved how the mystery unfolded slowly, with littlle details that started to matter more as the book went on. The Whisperdraught element was especially gripping, and the tension around control, dependence, and choice made the whole story feel darker and more emotional.
This definitely won’t be for everyone, so check the trigger warnings, but if you enjoy dark fantasy romance, morally grey characters, obsession, manipulation, and a relationship that feels dangerously consuming, this is absolutely worth reading.
The ending was brilliant, I needed a cold shower after, and now I need the next book immediately.
May 15, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had been looking for a dark academia romance like this for ages, and I’m so happy I finally came across this one. If you are like me and enjoy a good
Dark romance with an intense plot
A morally dark, obsessive mmc
Strong fmc and side characters
Good smut and some power imbalance
Then i will highly recommend this book, but do check out the trigger warnings because it is dark and not for everyone
It did take me a bit to fully understand everything at first, but once the story started coming together, I seriously couldn’t put it down.
Especially yhe dynamic between the mmc and the fmc was intense and consuming,the MMC had such strong emotional, physical and psychological hold over Lyra (His manipulation was so convincing at times that even I started doubting myself). I also loved the mix of passion and vulnerability that's shown in their relation.
Overall, this was a good captivating book and will definitely read the next book
Definitely a 4.5/5 🌟
I had been looking for a dark academia romance like this for ages, and I’m so happy I finally came across this one. If you are like me and enjoy a good
Dark romance with an intense plot
A morally dark, obsessive mmc
Strong fmc and side characters
Good smut and some power imbalance
Then i will highly recommend this book, but do check out the trigger warnings because it is dark and not for everyone
It did take me a bit to fully understand everything at first, but once the story started coming together, I seriously couldn’t put it down.
Especially yhe dynamic between the mmc and the fmc was intense and consuming,the MMC had such strong emotional, physical and psychological hold over Lyra (His manipulation was so convincing at times that even I started doubting myself). I also loved the mix of passion and vulnerability that's shown in their relation.
Overall, this was a good captivating book and will definitely read the next book
Definitely a 4.5/5 🌟
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thankyou for the arc author!!
This had so much potential. The plot was interesting, the characters felt unique, and the dark academia atmosphere was done really well it was moody, immersive, and easy to get lost in. The writing pulled me in, but at times it felt a bit too complicated and heavy.
My main issue? No proper buildup. One chapter the hero is cold, distant, almost uninterested and the next he’s all “you’re mine”. That shift felt rushed. I needed to see the transition, the slow burn, the chemistry developing between them. It just jumped too fast.
That said, the obsession? Delivered. The hero was OTT possessive, jealous, and intense in a way I actually enjoyed. The heroine was strong overall, but had a few moments where her decisions made me question everything. The spice scenes were really well done, and the plot kept me engaged, but the lack of emotional buildup held it back from being great.
The book ends on clliffhanger
- no cheating, no ow drama
This had so much potential. The plot was interesting, the characters felt unique, and the dark academia atmosphere was done really well it was moody, immersive, and easy to get lost in. The writing pulled me in, but at times it felt a bit too complicated and heavy.
My main issue? No proper buildup. One chapter the hero is cold, distant, almost uninterested and the next he’s all “you’re mine”. That shift felt rushed. I needed to see the transition, the slow burn, the chemistry developing between them. It just jumped too fast.
That said, the obsession? Delivered. The hero was OTT possessive, jealous, and intense in a way I actually enjoyed. The heroine was strong overall, but had a few moments where her decisions made me question everything. The spice scenes were really well done, and the plot kept me engaged, but the lack of emotional buildup held it back from being great.
The book ends on clliffhanger
- no cheating, no ow drama
Review of advance copy received from Author
Vices & Veritas is honestly such a twisted, addictive dark academia read. It pulled me in hard and didn’t let go. Alina Haris leans right into the obsession, the control, the power imbalance, and that properly unhinged morally grey MMC who’s been watching her way before she even realised. The whole vibe is thick with that dark academia energy, secrets, tension, and a romance that feels way more like possession than anything soft.
The spice is definitely there and doesn’t hold back, and it’s got that raw edge that dark romance readers will get. But it’s not just that, the emotional pull between them keeps you hooked and wanting to see how it all plays out.
I also loved seeing the heroine slowly start to take her power back through all the chaos. That always hits.
If you’re into dark, boundary pushing romance that’s a bit unhinged with plenty of tension and heat, this is 100% worth it. I’m already hanging for the final book in the duet.
The spice is definitely there and doesn’t hold back, and it’s got that raw edge that dark romance readers will get. But it’s not just that, the emotional pull between them keeps you hooked and wanting to see how it all plays out.
I also loved seeing the heroine slowly start to take her power back through all the chaos. That always hits.
If you’re into dark, boundary pushing romance that’s a bit unhinged with plenty of tension and heat, this is 100% worth it. I’m already hanging for the final book in the duet.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had no preconception of this book or the author, so I had no idea what was to come. The beginning of the book was very secretive and mysterious. The story started to open up along the way but this is a first book in the series so some secrets may stay as such..
I found myself in an academia setting with unique magical elements where the MMC is determined to claim the FMC. Some things I didn't fully understand. In the beginning it was also a little bit difficult to follow, at least for me, might be 'cause english isn't my native language. But as the story progressed it got much easier and the plot started to really captivate.
The characters are presented quite distantly, not intoduced in a large scale, so the reader is left to wonder what are their motives and whole backround really, things aren't given away at once. I strangely liked that.
Thd book is 🌶🌶🌶 in my opinion.
Overall I ended up liking the book and can't wait to know how the story continues!
I found myself in an academia setting with unique magical elements where the MMC is determined to claim the FMC. Some things I didn't fully understand. In the beginning it was also a little bit difficult to follow, at least for me, might be 'cause english isn't my native language. But as the story progressed it got much easier and the plot started to really captivate.
The characters are presented quite distantly, not intoduced in a large scale, so the reader is left to wonder what are their motives and whole backround really, things aren't given away at once. I strangely liked that.
Thd book is 🌶🌶🌶 in my opinion.
Overall I ended up liking the book and can't wait to know how the story continues!
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧
Rating: 4.75
I genuinely enjoyed every part of this book from the plot to the characters and the overall atmosphere. The story pulls you in right away with its dark, intense vibe, and it keeps you hooked the whole time. There were sometimes it caught me off guard with the writing but I did my best to understand and enjoy it. 💖
Lyra was such an interesting character to follow calm, observant, and clearly different in a way that makes you want to understand her more.
And Caelum, his presence is just powerful and a little unsettling in the best way. The tension between them? So good. It kept me invested the entire time.
The plot felt very intentional and immersive, like everything had a purpose and there was always something deeper going on beneath the surface.
Rating: 4.75
I genuinely enjoyed every part of this book from the plot to the characters and the overall atmosphere. The story pulls you in right away with its dark, intense vibe, and it keeps you hooked the whole time. There were sometimes it caught me off guard with the writing but I did my best to understand and enjoy it. 💖
Lyra was such an interesting character to follow calm, observant, and clearly different in a way that makes you want to understand her more.
And Caelum, his presence is just powerful and a little unsettling in the best way. The tension between them? So good. It kept me invested the entire time.
The plot felt very intentional and immersive, like everything had a purpose and there was always something deeper going on beneath the surface.
August 3, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Alina's writing is richly detailed, and the dark atmospheric world she created pulled me in from the very first chapter. Lyra begins as a strong, independent character, navigating the unfamiliar world she's thrust into with determination and depth. The supporting characters were equally engaging, adding layers to the story without overshadowing the main narrative. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric, though Caelum is controlling and totally manipulative, which adds an intriguing edge to their dynamic.
I did find the writing repetitive in places, with some details repeated more often than needed, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
All in all, it's a brilliant book, and I would fully recommend it to readers who love spicy dark academia
I loved the cliffhanger ending, and am looking forward to book 2.
I did find the writing repetitive in places, with some details repeated more often than needed, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
All in all, it's a brilliant book, and I would fully recommend it to readers who love spicy dark academia
I loved the cliffhanger ending, and am looking forward to book 2.
May 26, 2026
This book kept me on the absolute edge of my seat! Vices & Veritas is a dark academia fantasy romance packed with psychological themes, manipulation, and intense power dynamics. Most of the plot wasn't what I expected at all, which made it a constant, surprising joy to read. Lyra and Caelum's chemistry is palpable and dangerous. The only downside for me was that certain thoughts and ideas were repeated a little too often throughout the book. Even with that, I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. If you like your romance dark, complex, and unpredictable, pick this up. I can't wait for Book 2!
May 6, 2026
Lyra, the anomaly. The new girl who no one really knows but is both equally intrigued and frightened of. She comes into this world to find out who and what she is. Caelum, similar to her in regard to power and calculation, sees her and has been seeing her life for years unbeknownst to her. I was slightly annoyed by his character as he was ensuring that she was dependent on him and isolating her from anyone and everyone. I knew he cared but it wasn’t until around 70% in that I fully understood what exactly he was doing for her specifically and what he had always done prior.
This book was written beautifully and truly made you feel as if you were a part of their world. However, I do feel there were several repetitive statements and filler that led to me skimming over entire chapters. The ending picked up the pace and the shocking cliffhangers were too good. I look forward to reading the next book and seeing where this all goes! I have a feeling the choker is going to be a very important piece of the story.
This book was written beautifully and truly made you feel as if you were a part of their world. However, I do feel there were several repetitive statements and filler that led to me skimming over entire chapters. The ending picked up the pace and the shocking cliffhangers were too good. I look forward to reading the next book and seeing where this all goes! I have a feeling the choker is going to be a very important piece of the story.
May 9, 2026
Vices & Veritas pulled me in right from the start. The chemistry between the characters was intense, the drama kept things interesting, and the spicy scenes did not disappoint. I also liked that there was emotional depth mixed into the story, which made me connect even more with the characters. There were several twists I didn’t see coming, and once I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down. Definitely an addictive read.
May 19, 2026
twisted
This read is twisted. A dark academy romance with a lot of psychological themes. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Honestly most of it wasn’t what I expected even as ai continued to read so it continued to surprise and intrigue me. My only complaint is there are a lot of repeated thoughts in this book. It was just to often for me but over all loved this book and curious where book two will take this story.
This read is twisted. A dark academy romance with a lot of psychological themes. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Honestly most of it wasn’t what I expected even as ai continued to read so it continued to surprise and intrigue me. My only complaint is there are a lot of repeated thoughts in this book. It was just to often for me but over all loved this book and curious where book two will take this story.
May 13, 2026
Unfortunately, it's not for me. Page 45.. the plot seems interesting enough. I know the author is trying to show how the FL and ML carry themselves differently from the masses, etc. However, the way it's written is quite tedious to read through. It sounds so clinical and dry, like reading a chemistry textbook. Just very odd writing.
June 24, 2026
Repetitive and confusing - lost me halfway. Wish we got a chapter covering the fmc's background instead of info dropping randomly throught the book. World exploring was shit.... the fmc and mmc's relation was super choppy.. idk how to explain it but there wasn't much of a buildup.
There was more stuff but i forgot
There was more stuff but i forgot
July 3, 2026
4.5
I loved the plot, how the story developed, the characters and their relationships.
The mlc was written so well and the fmc decisions made sense.
I think the story would benefit from a good editing, there were so many pages that the story felt repetitive or the exact wording was used few pages after.
Definitely would read the 2nd book
I loved the plot, how the story developed, the characters and their relationships.
The mlc was written so well and the fmc decisions made sense.
I think the story would benefit from a good editing, there were so many pages that the story felt repetitive or the exact wording was used few pages after.
Definitely would read the 2nd book
July 5, 2026
I'm sorry, but the writing was off, the plot really intrigued me so much...but the AI typical negation contrast lines like "not this, not this, but..." Kind of lines and other AI similar twang made the book difficult to get through.
I think this book has so much potential...aah only if the writing wasn't so off ..
I think this book has so much potential...aah only if the writing wasn't so off ..
October 1, 2026
I read it as an ARC.
The ending stupefied me and made me feel so dumb. It was abrupt and the writing was a little repetitive and formal but the story was enjoyable I guess. I liked the mysterious gothic academia settings but it could've been much better I guess? The mystery was good but I would've liked to have some chapters for their life after the Gala.
The ending stupefied me and made me feel so dumb. It was abrupt and the writing was a little repetitive and formal but the story was enjoyable I guess. I liked the mysterious gothic academia settings but it could've been much better I guess? The mystery was good but I would've liked to have some chapters for their life after the Gala.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2026
one of those books where the story line is lost in the long poetic prose and we are no where near understanding the main characters other than that the hero is "obsessed" and that the heroine is "helpless".
July 12, 2026
As we read on, we learn that the MMC has never touched a woman intimately before.
What can I say? It SHOWS...
What can I say? It SHOWS...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Read it through AO3 first and reread it again finalized in the ARC because I was already hooked and am excited to see what happens in the finality of it all!
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